Julian W. Wilke, 85, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Bryan LGH East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be Wednesday, June 8, 10:30 A.M. at Christ Lutheran Church with Rev. Aaron Witt officiating. Interment will be in the Christ Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the Gass Haney Funeral Home and on Wednesday from 9:30 - 10:30 A.M. with a family prayer service at 10:15 A.M. at the church. Memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church or family or donor's choice.

Julian was born January 21, 1931, in Platte County, Nebraska, to Gottlieb and Ruth (Kuehnert) Wilke. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church. Julian attended Christ Lutheran Grade School and attended Kramer High School in Columbus. He was a member of the United States Navy Reserves from 1949 - 1960. During this time he worked at various machine shops along the west coast. In 1961, Julian returned to Columbus where he began his lifelong passion of farming. On August 5, 1962, Julian was united in marriage to Janice Huck at St. Paul's Lutheran Church near Waverly, Iowa.

Julian was a lifetime member of Christ Lutheran Church where he served as an Elder, Congregational President, and Budget Treasurer. He was also a member of Walther League, Men's Bible Breakfast, Christian Growth, and Lay Shepherd. He was a member of Pork Producers and the Platte Valley Cattlemen. He took great pleasure in raising cattle, hogs, and growing crops. He enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandsons. Julian's strong faith and love for the Lord were very important to him.

Julian is survived by:
Wife - Janice Wilke of Columbus, NE
Daughter - Tamara (Dale) Schlote of Norfolk, NE
Granddaughter - Sharissa (Brady) Fernau of Omaha, NE
Great-Grandson - Tallon
Son - Mark (Patty Kmiecik) Wilke of Lincoln, NE
Son - James (Rachel) Wilke of Columbus, NE
Granddaughter - Julianne Wilke of Columbus, NE
Great-Grandson - Breckin
Grandson - Colton Wilke of Columbus, NE
Granddaughter - Addie Wilke of Columbus, NE
Sister - Ruth Ann Behlen of Columbus, NE
Sister - Margaret Olson of Portland, OR
Brother - Theodore Wilke of Portland, OR
Brother - Walter (Arlene) Wilke of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law - Carolyn Wilke of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law - Mary (Don) Murray of Anaheim, CA
Sister-in-law - Norma Jean Wilke of Lincoln, NE
Many nieces and nephews

Julian was preceded in death by:
Parents - Gottlieb and Ruth Wilke
Brother - Robert Wilke
Sister - Gretchen Schroeder
Brothers-in-law - George Behlen, Albert Olson, and Billy Schroeder

Service Folder Information
Psalm 27: 1 & 4


1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.



In Loving Memory Of

Julian W. Wilke

Born
Wednesday, January 21, 1931
Platte County, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Lincoln, Nebraska

Service
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 10:30 AM
Christ Lutheran Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiating
Rev. Aaron Witt

Music
Karla Dixon – Organist
Ann Cattau – Soloist
"Our Father"
"Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone"
Congregational Hymns
"For All The Saints Who From Their Labors Rest"
"Oh That The Lord Would Guide My Ways"
"I Am But A Stranger Here, Heaven Is My Home"

Casket Bearers
Myron Behlen
Arlyn Wilke
Paul Wilke
David Wilke
Tim Wilke
Greg Wilke
Jon Wilke
John Rose

Honorary Casket Bearers
Sharissa Fernau
Brady Fernau
Julianne Wilke
Colton Wilke
Addie Wilke

Interment
Christ Lutheran Cemetery
Rural Columbus, Nebraska